I have just two plants in the garden. Last year they weren't up to much, but this year they have been wonderful - until a couple of weeks ago.
One of them seems to have just given up on life - it's collapsed in a heap. There are no signs of pest or disease (at least it looks the same as the other) and the growing conditions are exactly the same. Any suggestions please?
That sounds most unusual! Have you lifted it to look at the roots? The only time mine have ever suffered was in the very hot summer a couple of years ago.
If they were in pots I'd suggest vine weevil... but not in the open ground... lots of ants around?? :-\
They are both in open ground, and I haven't noticed an invasion of ants.
I'll dig it up at the weekend for a quick autopsy - what should I be looking for when I check the roots?
If it keeled over quickly the absence of roots will probably be the main evidence. If ants a lot of very fine soil and air spaces. If Vine weevil white maggots with a brown head... just spread them on a lawn the birds love them... ;D
Before you dig them up, try watering them. Mine have been doing the same for the last week or so and it appears to be that they are dry. I don't know if it might be these very drying winds we've been having.
They'll have started growing, and an active, rather than dormant, plant uses a lot more water.
Thanks for the tips :)
I'll give it a good watering and then dig it up at the weekend - watch this space!
Feeling more than a little silly now!!!! :-[
As suggested (thank you Ceres) I gave it a good soaking and it's now perked up and looking much happier. It never occured to me that water was the problem - everything else in the area looked fine.
I'll know next time.
Pink Fingers x (and face)
Quote from: Pink Fingers on April 04, 2009, 15:52:45
Feeling more than a little silly now!!!! :-[
Pink Fingers x (and face)
Don't! At this time of year, watering is hardly the first thing you'd think of. I was puzzled too and just thought there was nothing to lose by trying a bit of water. Glad they've perked up.